In the bustling city of Bangkok on a warm September day in 2023, a spirited gathering took place at the Krungthep Aphiwat Central Station. Participants rallied to shine a light on Anti-Corruption Day, emphasizing the pressing issue of corruption not only in Thailand but globally. The urgency of the cause was highlighted by Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report, which cast a revealing spotlight on the global standings of nations striving to combat this pervasive issue.
According to the 2024 CPI, Thailand’s score dipped slightly to 34 from 35 the previous year. Despite the slight drop in score, there was a silver lining as Thailand saw a minor improvement in its global standing, moving up one place to 107th. This annual survey, which meticulously evaluates 180 countries, never fails to stir conversations and spark movements worldwide.
Taking a glance at the top of the list, Denmark emerged as the epitome of cleanliness in public sectors, scoring a remarkable 90 points out of a perfect 100. Finland and Singapore were hot on its heels, scoring 88 and 84 points respectively, with New Zealand tailing close behind at 83 points. Luxembourg, Norway, and Switzerland showcased commendable governance, each securing 81 points and sharing the spotlight as role models for good governance.
On a regional scale, within the ASEAN community, Thailand found itself positioned in the middle, trailing behind Singapore, yet far above Myanmar, which languished at the bottom of the ASEAN rankings with a dismal score of 16, placing them 168th globally. Interestingly, Thailand held company with Algeria, Brazil, Malawi, Nepal, and Niger, all of whom shared the same ranking slot.
Reflecting upon the past decade, Thailand’s trajectory in the CPI has been rather varied. The zenith of its scores in recent memory was a modest 38, achieved in both 2014 and 2015. Rankings, however, seem to ride the unpredictable tide of other nations’ performances; highlights include a jump to 101st in 2022 despite a mere one-point score increase to 36, and a descent to 108th the following year alongside a slight decrease in score.
At the other end of the spectrum, the ‘least clean’ performers in the 2024 survey included South Sudan, scoring a startling low of 8 points, followed closely by Somalia with 9, and Venezuela with 10, painting a challenging picture of governance for these nations.
Transparency International, with its roots firmly planted in Berlin, revealed a sobering fact: the global average score remained stagnant at 43, with a whopping two-thirds of surveyed nations scoring beneath the 50-point benchmark. This statistics render the grim reality of rampant public-sector corruption perceived worldwide.
The CPI’s measurements hinge on the perceptions of seasoned experts and shrewd businesspeople, relying on insights from 13 independent data sources, including prestigious entities like the World Economic Forum. Such meticulous data collection anchors the credibility and impact of the CPI findings.
In its recent report, Transparency International underscored a poignant reality: corruption and the climate crisis are entwined challenges that humanity must tackle head-on. As millions across the globe grapple with dire climate change consequences, resources essential for adaptation and mitigation appear frustratingly out of reach. The report emphasizes that corruption exacerbates these daunting challenges, further endangering vulnerable communities and threatening essential resources. It stresses the importance of robust transparency and accountability mechanisms to safeguard climate funds from corruption and embezzlement, ensuring these vital resources reach those who need them most.
It’s disappointing to see Thailand’s CPI score drop again, even if they improved in global standings. This just shows that other countries are doing even worse!
True, but isn’t it better that they moved up a place? Progress is progress, no matter how small.
I get it, but moving up due to others falling behind doesn’t feel like real improvement. More proactive measures are needed.
I’m more amazed that Denmark keeps scoring so high! What are they doing right that we can’t replicate?
Denmark’s success is due to their strong institutions and low tolerance for corruption. But trying to copy their system isn’t straightforward.
Yeah, definitely a cultural aspect to it as well. We need to focus on education and reforms that make sense locally.
CPI is just another means to shame poorer nations while the West hides their own corruption better.
That’s a bit cynical. While I agree that no nation is perfect, the CPI brings important issues to light.
It’s beyond cynicism. The index could better represent on-ground challenges and highlight global hypocrisy.
The correlation between corruption and climate change in the report is eye-opening! Corruption really puts lives in danger beyond economics.
Corruption in Thailand is rampant, but linking it to climate funds is complex. Do we really trust agencies to handle this?
Without accountability, no system can be trusted absolutely. Vigilant monitoring is key to ensuring transparency.
Exactly, but sadly, the ones needing money might still not get it due to bureaucratic layers.
Why is Myanmar scoring so low? They need international intervention!
Intervention is tricky. They need internal reform and regional cooperation; outsiders might do more harm than good.
One point dip isn’t drastic. Thailand’s positioning matters more in ASEAN since it’s doing better than some regional peers.
That’s true, but aren’t we better focusing on absolute improvement than simply regional standings?
Finland and Singapore are just decades ahead in governance strategies, marrying technology with transparency. The rest of us need to catch up!
Doesn’t matter how we score; clean leadership comes from the top. Our leaders should lead by example, and that’s not happening.
Any score below 50 is troubling. Globally, it screams systemic issues we must address through education and policy changes.
It’s always about more than policy. Education in integrity from an early age is fundamental.
The report highlights potential solutions like integrating international guidelines into local reforms. It’s a must-read!
Seems like nothing changes. CPI is just numbers, and real-life corruption persists.
Numbers tell a story, though. Knowing where we stand is the first step to driving change.
Something is wrong if two-thirds of nations score under 50. These aren’t rogue states; this is a global crisis!
I’d call it more of a reality check. Identities beyond the ‘usual suspects’ are involved.
What do you expect from countries like Venezuela? Things won’t improve anytime soon there.
Regional instability doesn’t help, and turning our backs won’t solve anything. We must engage more meaningfully.
I’m not surprised about South Sudan ranking last. Saddening; they deserve better governance.
Luxembourg doing well because it’s tiny. If bigger, they’d have more challenges!
Thailand should aim for the top, not settle for middle ASEAN spots. Europe serves as the benchmark.